I just installed my bodylift on my ranger. Now I want to flip my tow hitch. It is made by uhaul and has two mount brackets and a center piece that bolts between them. The center piece is supose to curve downward to clear the bumper. I want to put it in upside down so it curves upward and tucks under my bumper at its new height. The problem is, it hits on the bottom lip of the bumper by about 5/8" I want to put a spacer between the frame and hitch mount to lower it that 5/8" then everything will line up right. OK, now do I need to fab a heavy duty spacer or can I use washers? I only tow small trailers and my 16' boat. Nothing too heavy. I dont know what would be affected by the spacers. I thought I could use washers and take it for a tow and check to see if anything bent or moved. Any ideas?

 

for 5/8 i would make some spacers and make them wide

 

I guess I can't think of a real (physics) type explanation, but I would try taking some 1/4" flat stock and cutting/drilling holes into it, three for each side instead of the washers. That way, everything still has full contact between the hitch and frame, and there is a much smaller chance of things moving around.

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Exactly waht I was thinking,
More contact area, much stronger, less chance of sheering off a bolt.

 

OK. I cut up 1/4" piece of steel and mounted it yesterday. I had to trim about 1" off the bottom lip of my bumper but the hitch fits and tucks neatly under the bumper. Looks good and it didnt take much at all. Thanks for the help guys.

 

how about some pics of the truck, hitch, and spacers for us

 

pics pics pics!!

 

Will take some today.

 

Here are a few pics.
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